And not one freakin’ penny of that 5 million will be seen by anyone in the United States, unless you count seeing it leaving you in taxes. It all goes overseas. What do you mean, why? The elites in power not only know better than you, but want better things than you have, and as everyone who is anyone knows, one absolutely must purchase one’s crystal from the snootiest of stores in Europe, right? Otherwise one might just be… common. *Shudder*

WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton’s State Department is spending $5.4 million to buy fine crystal stemware for American embassies — but it won’t give the US economy much of a boost.

The contract was given to a tiny Washington, DC, interior designer, which in turn subcontracted the crystal work to a Swedish firm — snubbing such US companies as the famous manufacturer in Clinton’s own back yard, Steuben Crystal of upstate Corning.

The firm didn’t even get a chance to bid on the contract, which will outfit embassies and ambassadors’ residences with fancy crystal for ritzy functions.

Ironically, under the no-bid contract, some of the crystal is to be custom-crafted to include the seal of the United States, although Swedes will do all of the manufacturing.